OPT STEM Extension - Johns Hopkins Office of International Services

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New rules on STEM OPT are in effect as of May 10, 2016. Students who are applying for STEM extension must read all the information below to determine eligibility for a STEM OPT extension and how to apply for this benefit.

Please keep in mind that you are responsible for applying for the STEM OPT extension in a timely and complete manner. The Department of Homeland Security has a website that provides details for students and STEM OPT employers.

OPT STEM Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Eligibility for STEM OPT

To be eligible for the STEM extension, you must:

have completed a degree program in one of the STEM-eligible fields.
- NEW: You may now qualify for a STEM extension off a prior degree in a STEM field that was earned while in the U.S. You can determine if you are eligible for STEM OPT extension by following instructions on the DHS website.

be in a period of approved post-completion OPT and maintaining F-1 status. You must not have been unemployed for an aggregate of more than 90 days during the initial 12 month period
be employed in a position that is directly related to the degree for which OPT was recommended
- Under the new STEM OPT rules, you must be in a paid position and be employed a minimum of 20 hours a week in the eligible job. In addition, the employer must have a bona-fide employer-employee relationship with the student and therefore, self-employment is not allowed.

have no more than one previous STEM extension, AND
be working for an employer who is registered with E-Verify
- Note: The Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital are E-Verify employers.

When to File

The window for filing for a STEM OPT extension begins 90 days prior to the end of your initial OPT period, and ends on the day prior to the expiration of your initial OPT. Your application must be received by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) within that time frame. There are no exceptions; if you do not file within this window of eligibility your application will be denied.

How to File an Application for the STEM OPT extension

Complete the I-983 form along with your employer and make sure it is signed in the appropriate places (see information on the I-983 form below).

Submit your STEM Extension Request to the OIS in a timely manner. To submit your request, follow the instructions below.

If you continue to have access to JHU systems using your JHED login:

Go to http://ihopkins.jhu.edu
Click “Login” under “Active JHED Login.”
Login with your JHED ID and password
Once logged in, click on “F-1 Practical Training” in the menu on the left, then click on “STEM OPT 24 Month Extension “

If you no longer have access to JHU systems using your JHED login:

Go to http://iHopkins.jhu.edu.
Click “No JHED Login.”
Click “Email me my limited access pin.”
Enter your Hopkins/University ID.
A pin will be emailed to your email address that is on file with the OIS.
Once you receive the pin, log in using your Hopkins ID, date of birth and pin.
Once logged in, click on “F-1 Practical Training” in the menu on the left, then click on “STEM OPT 24 Month Extension “

If you have any trouble accessing iHopkins, please contact OIS at oistechsupport@jhu.edu

Upon receiving your STEM OPT Extension request through iHopkins, OIS will process your I-20 with the required STEM OPT Extension recommendation.

Receiving the new I-20: You will specify on the request form how you wish to receive the I-20 with your STEM recommendation.

Submit the completed application to USCIS for processing within 60 days of the date that your STEM OPT I-20 was issued and before the expiration date of your initial OPT. The official filing date is the date that your application is received by USCIS. If you fail to file your application within the appropriate dates it will be denied.

ITEMS TO INCLUDE IN THE APPLICATION:

Prepare and submit all the following documents to USCIS. This information is also available as a pdf checklist.

Form I-765 completed and signed by the student in black ink. The code for #27 is (C)(3)(C) a STEM extension. Do not forget to include your employer’s name and EVerify number and to sign this application. We recommend single sided printing for all USCIS forms.
Form G-1145, for email notification that your application has been received.
2 new Passport-style photographs that meet USCIS specifications found on Form I-765 instructions.
Copy of your current Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (available online at www.cbp.gov/i94).
Copy of pages I and 2 of the I-20 you will receive with the STEM extension.
Copies of the information pages (1 AND 3 OR 1 AND 2) page of ALL Form I-20s that have been issued to you by ALL SCHOOLS PREVIOUSLY ATTENDED
Copy of your current unexpired passport id page and visa page.
Payment of the USCIS processing fee. There are two options:
- A check or money order in the amount of $410 made payable to “U.S. Department of Homeland Security”. To view a sample check please search the USCIS website for “Paying Immigration Fees”. [The fee increase that was planned for October 2, 2020 will NOT take effect.]
- Credit card payment via USCIS Form G-1450.
Copies of front and back of any previous work authorization cards you have EVER been issued.
Copy of diploma or transcript of the degree being used for the STEM extension; make sure that it indicates the field in which you received your degree.
DO NOT include a copy of the I-983 form.

Submit your application to USCIS using one of the following methods:

File your application online: USCIS now offers students in F-1 status the ability to submit the I-765 electronically through their online portal. This process involves filling out the I-765 electronically, uploading the required documents, and paying the fee through the online portal. By filing online, you will receive your receipt number and other notifications electronically so you do not need to file form G-1145.
Mail a paper copy of the application to the appropriate USCIS office, based upon the address used on the I-765. Be careful that the address you use on the I-765 is one at which you may receive mail. You are advised to make a copy of your entire application.

Send your application by courier delivery (FedEx, DHL, UPS) to:USCIS
Attn: I-765 C03
131 South Dearborn- 3rd Floor
Chicago, IL 60603-5517

USCIS Offers Premium Processing for certain OPT and STEM OPT Applications:

On March 6, 2023, USCIS announced the expansion of premium processing for certain OPT and STEM OPT applications. Premium processing is a service that guarantees USCIS’s response to an application within a certain timeframe. The response will be the issuance of an approval notice, a denial notice, a notice of intent to deny or a request for evidence. For students in F-1 status filing form I-765 for OPT or STEM OPT, the premium processing fee is $1500 and the timeframe is 30 calendar days after USCIS receives your complete application.

As of March 6, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed either via paper form or online, for F-1 students who already have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization filed for pre-completion OPT, post-completion OPT or the STEM OPT extension.
Beginning April 3, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests, filed either via paper form or online, for F-1 students in the above categories when filed together with Form I-765. Premium processing requests filed together with the I-765 before April 3 will be rejected by USCIS.

Before submitting a request for premium processing, consider the current processing time for form I-765 posted on the USCIS website. Search for form I-765, category (c )(3), and the Potomac Service Center. Based on the current processing time and when a student filed or plans to file the I-765, premium processing may not be necessary in many cases.

Continuation of Employment while STEM OPT is Pending

Your OPT work authorization is automatically extended for 180 days if your application for the STEM OPT extension is properly and timely filed. However, you cannot travel outside the U.S. and return until you have received the new EAD.

Driver’s License while STEM OPT is Pending

While your STEM OPT application is pending your driver’s license might expire and it generally cannot be renewed until you receive the STEM EAD. You can check with your local DMV to see if they allow a temporary extension of your driver’s license while the STEM extension application is pending based on an I-797c receipt notice.

The I-983 Form

A training plan requirement, documented with a new form, I-983, is a new provision of STEM OPT eligibility. An I-983 form must be completed and submitted to OIS for each OPT employer. If you change employers or positions while on authorized STEM OPT, you must submit a new I-983 form.

DHS has provided detailed information on the I-983, including instructions on how to complete the form. Please note that the responsibility for completing this form lies with the student in consultation with the employer. OIS cannot assist in completing the I-983 for any student, including those who are employed at JHU. If you have questions, please use the resources provided by SEVP on their STEM OPT website, including the specific instructions for the I-983.

When you complete the I-983, you should leave the box in section 1 that asks for the Designated School Official information blank. OIS will need to complete that based upon which advisor reviews the form. Note that page 5 is used for the required annual reviews, and therefore, is not completed as part of the initial application process.

SIGNATURE AUTHORITY FOR JHU DEPARTMENTS EMPLOYING STEM OPT STUDENTS: The Training Plan requires information and certifications to be completed both by the student and the employer (i.e., JHU). The employer information, including the content of the employer certifications (with two notable exceptions discussed below), relate primarily to information specific to the employment of the student and the supervisor’s role. Given this fact, and to align with JHU practice for signing employment agreements (which are signed by department chairs or administrative unit heads), the Vice President for Human Resources, Heidi Conway, with the advice of counsel, and the agreement of the Office of International Services (OIS) and Chief Risk Officer, has decided to delegate authority for completion and signature of the Training Plans to the STEM OPT students’ supervisors. A copy of the Training Plan will be provided by each supervisor to the student for submission to the student’s home institution. The Training Plans are not submitted to ICE, but are subject to audit by ICE. DHS has provided detailed information for employers, including I-983 completion and other reporting requirements.

I-983 Information for Employees of Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Hospital

	Johns Hopkins University	Johns Hopkins Hospital
Employer ID	52-0595110	52-0591656
Everify Number	238072	TBA
NAICS Code	611310	622110
Full Time US Employees	28,600	9,400

USCIS Processing Timeline

Approximately 2-3 weeks after submitting the application, you will receive a receipt notice containing a case number. With this number, you can track your case online at www.uscis.gov. When you receive this notice, it is important that you check the spelling of your name to make sure there are no errors. If you find an error, contact USCIS at the phone number provided on the notice. It may take 90 days or longer for USCIS to process your application. This is considered your personal application for immigration benefits and OIS cannot influence USCIS processing of your application.